Arts & Leisure
Celebrate 140 at the George Marshall Store Gallery
Be among the first to see the varied works available for sale in celebration of the 140th anniversary of the George Marshall Store on Lindsay Road with a first-choice reception scheduled for this Friday.
Courtesy photo
YORK VILLAGE - The George Marshall Store, a picturesque building from the past that overlooks the York River, is turning 140 years old this year.
Although the store is no longer housed in the quaint building, the 19th-century structure is now home to the George Marshall Store Gallery, where Curator Mary Harding noted there is a lot of positive energy surrounding the exhibition to celebrate the founding of the George Marshall Store 140 years ago as artists from across the region are participating in this benefit event, beginning with a special reception this Friday, July 20.
The planners of the event decided to celebrate 140 years, rather than a more typical anniversary such as a 150-year milestone, due in part to the coincidence that the store is located at 140 Lindsay Road in York Village. To celebrate this landmark year, Harding invited 140 regional artists to participate and each received a 10-by-10-inch wooden panel to create a work of art of any theme, format and medium. The works are being installed as a part of the summer exhibition and will be sold for $140 each with all proceeds to benefit the Old York Historical Society, which maintains the historic building and site.
From the very beginning of the project, there has been an amazing spirit of support, luck and spontaneity, Harding noted in an announcement of the start of the event.
After choosing the panel material from Eldredge Lumber, the next big job was to cut the 4-foot by 8-foot sheets into 10-inch square panels. Tom Poland, an employee of Eldredge Lumber and Hardware, immediately volunteered and returned the next day with 140 precision-cut panels.
"I am overwhelmed with the positive response I have received from the artists," Harding said.
Some have asked for extra panels and have invited other artists to participate. Others have found the small, square format inspirational and have tried new media and techniques.
Terri Priest, who had a solo exhibition in the gallery last year, was the first to return her panel. More are returned each day and so far include Beverly Hallam, Kate Emlen, Norman West, Al Jaeger, Don Lent, Marianne Young, David Leach, Martha Groome, Elizabeth Mayor, Kate Kleaves, Connie Hayes and Mary Woodman.
"They are thanking us, when we are thanking them," Harding said, adding that the very modest sale price of $140 is no reflection of the quality of the artists and their work. The price has been set in the spirit of the event, which is a reflection of the talent, creativity and generosity of the artistic community, she noted.
Since the event is a benefit, it was decided to have a "First Choice Preview" reception this coming Friday, July 20. The reception will cost - you guessed it - $140 per couple, or $70 for single tickets, and will feature hors d'oeuvres by Agamenticus Catering and other refreshments.
A second opening reception will follow on Saturday, July 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.
To help those who attend the opening make immediate choices on which items they would like to take home, they will be given "sale stickers" with a client number. There will be no need to find the gallery attendant, as they can indicate their choices by placing their "sale stickers" directly on the wall next to the piece or pieces that they want to purchase. The self-sale system will be used for the second opening reception as well.
The panels will be installed throughout the main level of the building and will remain in place for both receptions. Thereafter, as they sell, they will be removed and the group exhibition of regional artists will continue through Sept. 9.
Concurrently, Portland artist Alice Spencer will be exhibiting her work in the dock level gallery. The artist most often works in series, inspired by her travels and her collections of traditional textiles and clothing. She explores the intersection of pattern and time and their symbolic role in identity and adornment. Colorful layers of pattern and symbols are created by using cut stencils, acrylic paint and mixed media. This exhibition features her "Transcending Time" and "Yannan Pattern" series, and continues through Sept. 5.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 351-1083.
